Top 12 Things to Do in Shanghai at Night: Ideas on How to Spend A Night in Shanghai

Written by Catherine | Updated December 23,2025

Shanghai is one of the top travel destinations of China known for being an international metropolis. There’re plenty of things to do in Shanghai from witnessing the modern wonders of the city to experiencing its unique traditional culture. Even at night, you won’t run out of things to do. In fact, Shanghai is famous for having some of the best nightlife in China and even Asia.

Shanghai is generally considered a very safe city to visit. You can feel free to go out at night, although it’s recommended to avoid going out alone if you aren’t familiar with the area or the language. With that said, here’re the top 12 things to do in Shanghai at night. Follow our guide and discover the best Shanghai nightlife.

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• 1. Take an Evening Walk Along the Bund
• 2. Board a Huangpu River Cruise
• 3. Walk and Shop Along Nanjing Road
• 4. Taste Local Street Snacks at City God Temple
• 5. See an Amazing Acrobatic Show at Shanghai Circus World
• 6. Have a Special Dinner
• 7. Explore the Night Markets of Shanghai
• 8. Experience Modern Shanghai Nightlife in Xintiandi
• 9. Spend a Magical Night at Shanghai Disneyland Resort
• 10. Have a Drink at Some of the World’s Best Bars
• 11. Look over the city on a Viewing Platform
• 12. Lose Track of Time at a Night Club
• 13. Leisurely Stroll Around the Alleys of Tianzifang
• 14. Discover Family Fun and Adventure at Shanghai Happy Valley
• 15. Feel the culture and history of old Shanghai at Shanghai Old Street
• FAQs about Shanghai
• Explore Shanghai with China Xian Tour

1. Take an Evening Walk Along the Bund

The Bund is definitely one of the best places to go in Shanghai at night. This 1.5-kilometer-long walkway extends along the Huangpu River from Waibaidu Bridge to Shiliupu Pier, makes a wonderful spot for an evening walk because you’ll see two different sides of Shanghai.

To the west of the Bund, historical buildings of 33 different architectural styles from the former financial and foreign trade center remain standing in the golden light. They are the remnants of old Shanghai and its glorious past. Across Huangpu River on the other side, you can see the world-famous Shanghai skyline at night. Towering skyscrapers are lit up, reflected in the calm water.

2. Board a Huangpu River Cruise

• Cruise route: Shiliupu Pier – Pudong Riverside Promenade – Lujiazui – International Convention Center – Oriental Pearl Tower – Taihuangdao Road Pier – North Bund – Waibaidu Bridge – World’s Architectures on the Bund – Shiliupu Pier
• Time needed: 45 – 60 minutes
• Price range: CNY 90 – 668
• How to book the ticket: Book on the official app “Suishenxing (随申行)”, the third platform, such as Ctrip, or on site.

One of the best things to do in Shanghai at night is to take a Huangpu River Cruise on “the mother river of Shanghai.” This 50-minute Shanghai night cruise will take you right up to the dazzling skyline. You can feel the evening breeze on the river and take stunning photos of the iconic landmark. It’s one of the best night activities in Shanghai and a unique experience of the city.

3. Walk and Shop Along Nanjing Road

If you’re wondering about what to do in Shanghai at night, and you happen to be into shopping, you’re in luck, because Shanghai is home to one of the world’s busiest shopping streets, Nanjing Road. It is an excellent place to take a stroll and simply observe the cultural scene even if you’re not into shopping. Its cultural significance has made it a must-visit destination for visitors traveling to Shanghai.

There are two sections to Nanjing Road. Nanjing East Road is more affordable with a wide range of products. Nanjing West Road on the other hand, is the most expensive fashion commercial block in Shanghai that mainly sells luxury brands and items. You’ll be able to find anything you need and have fun exploring the wide range of options.

Recommended Shanghai Night Tours:

• Shanghai Highlight Afternoon and Evening Tour
• Shanghai Night Walking Tour: The Bund & Acrobatic Show

4. Taste Local Street Snacks at City God Temple

• Location: No. 249, Fangbang Middle Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai
• Recommended dishes & snacks: Xiaolongbao, Pan Fried Pork Bun, Glutinous Rice Balls, Pork Chop with Rice Cakes

City God Temple, or Chenghuangmiao, is a popular Shanghai tourist attraction during the day. The Taoist temple closes at night but is equally full of life. Shops and stalls are open selling local snacks and handcrafts against the backdrop of lit up traditional architecture. It’s a great place to take photographs of the vibrant scene and experience the culture of Shanghai.

Along the Street, you can taste the authentic Shanghai cuisine and dim sum in Lubolang Restaurant, buy a trayful of Xiaolongbao in Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant, and try the glutinous rice pastries in Shendacheng Pastry Shop. The stalls are also selling some local snacks, like Pork Chop with Rice Cakes, Pear Syrup Candy, Spiced Beans, etc. The City God Temple is also next to the Yuyuan Garden, a famous classic garden in Shanghai. It is strongly recommended to include it in your tour also.

5. See an Amazing Acrobatic Show at Shanghai Circus World

• Location: No. 2266, Gonghexin Road, Jing ‘an District, Shanghai
• Duration: 2 – 3 hours
• Tickets: Free to enter, the ticket for each show is sold separately. ERA – Intersection of Time: CNY 380+; Happy Circus: CNY 120 +

Shanghai Circus World is a great place to spend your evening for couples and families on a Shanghai tour. The venue has acrobatic performances every night with the two regular shows being ERA – Intersection of Time and Happy Circus. They both have excellent stage design, skillful actors, along with wonderful music and dance. Every member of the family will have fun and be amazed.

he stunning shows you may see are flying trapeze, large springboard, motorcycle show, etc. There is also classic clown interaction, equestrian show, and animal shows performed by lovely dogs, bears and parrots, etc.

6. Have a Special Dinner

Shanghai has no lack of great restaurants at night. You have endless options from family-owned restaurants serving classic local dishes, high-end hotel restaurants cooking with fine ingredients, to Asian cuisine offering unique cultural experiences, and restaurants focusing on a fusion of culinary traditions and fun innovations. Here are some recommendations:

For local Shanghai cuisine:

• Ren He Guan（人和馆）on Zhaojiabang Road, Xuhui District
• Xiao Ping Fan Dian（晓平饭店）on Jiashan Road, Xuhui District
• Lan Xin Can Ting（兰心餐厅）on Jinxian Road, Huangpu District
• Jin Shi Dai Shun Feng Hotel（金时代顺丰大酒店）on Xiang Zang Middle Road, Huangpu District

Restaurants with a great view:

• Flairon Level 58 of The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong District
• Oriental Pearl Revolving Restaurantin the Oriental Pearl Tower, Pudong District
• Centounoon Level 101 of J Hotel Shanghai Tower, Pudong District

7. Explore the Night Markets of Shanghai

Another option for experiencing Shanghai nightlife is to explore the many night markets of the city. After dinner, crowds flock towards the markets selling street food, handcrafts, clothes, and all kinds of fun little things. These are the best places to discover what life is like in this large city and feel the passion of its people.

Some of the most popular night markets of Shanghai include Sijing Night Market in Songjiang District, Linfen Road Night Market in Jing’an District, Zhoupu Night Market in Pudong District, Seoul Night Market in Minhang District, and The Bund Fengjing Weekend Market in Huangpu District.

Popular Night Markets of Shanghai

Recommended Shanghai Food Tours:

• Shanghai Night Food Tour with Huangpu River Cruise
• Shanghai City Walk Tour at Night Market & Snack Street

8. Experience Modern Shanghai Nightlife in Xintiandi

• Location: No. 6-15, Lane 181, Taicang Road, Huangpu District
• Time needed: 2 – 3 hours
• What to do: Taste delicacies from all over the world, drink a glass of wine in a special bar, listen to music in a livehouse, take part in the seasonal activities

Xintiandi, or the New World, is a Shanghai nightlife hotspot, especially for foreigners. It is a historic street turned into shopping, dining, and entertainment areas. The traditional Shikumen residences have been transformed into stores with fun and novel concepts. Nice eateries and cocktail bars become bustling with crowds at night. It’s truly the best place to experience the essence of Shanghai nightlife.

9. Spend a Magical Night at Shanghai Disneyland Resort

Spending a night at Shanghai Disneyland Resort will make your Shanghai family tour even more magical. Opened in 2016, it is the 6th Disneyland resort in the world with six themed areas each containing fun rides, parades with your favorite Disney characters, and dynamic shopping and dining experiences.

There’re two hotels at the resort, Shanghai Disneyland Hotel and Toy Story Hotel. You’ll find themed rooms inspired by classic Disney stories, excellent facilities, and a wide range of food options. Before you call it a day and return to your hotel, stay behind in the park and witness the stunning firework and light show. Watch the castle lit up by the colorful fireworks in the night sky.

10. Have a Drink at Some of the World’s Best Bars

Another reason why Shanghai nightlife is so appealing to many visitors is that it is home to some of Asia or even the world’s best bars. From breweries to cocktails bars, you’re sure to find a place that will guarantee you a wonderful night. Here are some of the top bars in Shanghai:

• Coa Shanghai on Fuxing Road, Huangpu District: affiliated with Coa Hong Kong (one of the world’s 50 best bars), specialized in agave spirits and cocktails
• Speak Low on Fuxing Road, Huangpu District: the world’s and Asia’s 50 best bars, a Japanese-style speakeasy hidden behind a secret door in a bartending equipment shop
• 233on Xuanhua Road, Changning District: high-end canned craft beer at an affordable price
• Mingri Brewing on Xinzha Road, Huangpu District: Shanghai local brewery

11. Look over the city on a Viewing Platform

The famous Shanghai skyline is made up of many iconic skyscrapers of the Lujiazui district, which are amazing places to see the city at night. You can get on the viewing platforms of these skyscrapers, such as the Oriental Pearl Tower, Jinmao Tower, and Shanghai Tower, to see the massive city lit up under you and the streets full of life with busy traffic.

12. Lose Track of Time at a Night Club

And of course, Shanghai doesn’t just go to sleep after dinner hour. If you want to see a crazier and more fun side of the city, there’re many night clubs where you can fully immerse yourself and lose track of time. Here are some of the best night clubs in Shanghai:

• INS Parkon Yandang Road, Huangpu District: a six-story building with 8 nightclubs of different types
• ORii Clubon Huaihai Middle Road, Huangpu District: a K-pop and Hip-hop club popular with the younger generation in Shanghai
• Max Shanghai on Huaihai Middle Road, Huangpu District: a high-end House and Bounce club

13. Leisurely Stroll Around the Alleys of Tianzifang

If you want to experience the authentic local life, Tianzifang is definitely the best place. Its charm lies in that it is not a carefully planned commercial area, but a creative street developed naturally based on its original lanes. When wandering along the lanes, you may see the clothes hung out by the residents over your head and the artworks displayed in the shop windows on both sides. In this maze-like district, you will feel like discovering special stores rather than going shopping. It seems that there will always be surprises at any moment. Try to find out the store you like.

14. Discover Family Fun and Adventure at Shanghai Happy Valley

For families and youth, Shanghai Happy Valley will bring a lot of fun. This large themed park boasts seven themed areas with both thrilling adventure and family fun, such as merry-go-round, four-dimensional cinema, roller coaster, canyon rafting and so on. There is also an exclusive children’s kingdom. The entertainment facilities there are in cute designs and gentle speed. Another highlight is the various performances, including a large-scale special effects live-action drama, a water screen light show and many interactive performances. Every tourist can enjoy a joyous day here.

15. Feel the culture and history of old Shanghai at Shanghai Old Street

The Shanghai Old Street is more than a street, it tells you its century-long transformation from a market of the Ming and Qing dynasties to a modern art district. The exterior of the houses in the west section imitates the Ming and Qing Style, and that in the east section retain the characteristics of residential buildings in the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China. This design shows the architectural and cultural evolution of Old Shanghai. In recent years, the various unique wall paintings have rejuvenated this old street. Many themed markets and art activities are held here.

FAQs about Shanghai

How expensive is a typical night out in Shanghai?

The cost varies from 100 – 500 per person based on the types of experiences.

Where can I see the best night views of the skyline?

It is recommended to see the night landscapes on The Bund, Lujiazui Circular Overpass and Pudong Riverside Avenue.

How late does the metro run, and what are the best late-night transport options?

Most metro lines are closed around 23:00. The most convenient way for late-night transport is the taxi and online hailing car.

What are the must-see landmarks in Shanghai that are best viewed at night?

The Lujiazui skyline, World’s Architectures on The Bund and Yuyuan Bazaar are unmissable landmarks at night.

Explore Shanghai with China Xian Tour

Shanghai is not just an international metropolis as we all know, it is also a historic city. To explore Shanghai, a reasonable itinerary allows you to experience its charm completely. China Xian Tour is glad to help you tailor the trip. Our travel consultant can meet all your demands and book all the hotels and tickets for you in advance. Follow us, you can enjoy a carefree and impressive tour. So contact us right now.

Recommended Best Shanghai Tours:

• 3 Days Classic Private Shanghai City Tour
• 4 Days Shanghai Private Tour with Zhujiajiao Watertown Tour
• 4 Days Shanghai Family Tour with Disneyland Park